Arsenal linked with Shock move for Newcastle Star

Arsenal have been linked with a shock move for Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton.

The Scouter made his thoughts clear yesterday about the exit of Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan and the former Manchester City man seemed to hint that he would be next.

“Devastated to see him [Nolan] SOLD! #mejose[Enrique]andjonas[Gutierrez]next,” tweeted Barton.

Bookmakers SkyBet have cut Barton’s odds on joining Arsenal considerably with Arsene Wenger considering the tough-tackling midfielder to add some steel to his side.

Arsenal and Newcastle United face each other in the first game of the 2011/12 Premier League campaign in a repeat of the epic 4-4 draw from last season.

Arsenal have a nightmare start to 2011/12 EPL Campaign

We start the season with Newcastle (A), followed by Liverpool (H) and then Man Utd (A). From last season, I’d say those three fixtures were the most depressing results, apart from the 2-3 defeat to Spurs at the Emirates.

The Liverpool match was also a soul-destroying game, where Arsenal controlled proceedings until the last two minutes. And no one really remembers the away game at Old Trafford. It was boring, we lost. Park scored a lucky goal. Sounds like most Arsenal-Utd meetings.

Arsenal face both Spurs and Chelsea away from home in October, along with home games against Sunderland and Stoke. Emirates season ticket holders will be treated to only three games in January and February, but matches against Man Utd, Blackburn and Spurs at home are sure to whet the appetite.

Arsenal also have a tricky run in, with City and Chelsea at home in April, along with a typically tough away trip to Stoke.

However, we finish the season with Norwich (H) and West Brom (A), which should prove slightly easier fixtures than those at the start of the season. Then again, these two teams may have Premier League survival to play for, so we cannot assume that the Gunners will win these games automatically! Nothing is ever simple when it comes to the Arsenal…